[1] “Listen to my words, Job; pay attention to what I have to say.
[2] Now that I have begun to speak, let me continue.
[3] I speak with all sincerity; I speak the truth.
[4] For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
[5] Answer me, if you can; make your case and take your stand.
[6] Look, you and I both belong to God. I, too, was formed from clay.
[7] So you don’t need to be afraid of me. I won’t come down hard on you.
[8] “You have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard your very words.
[9] You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin; I am innocent; I have no guilt.
[10] God is picking a quarrel with me, and he considers me his enemy.
[11] He puts my feet in the stocks and watches my every move.’
[12] “But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being.
[13] So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?
[14] For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.
[15] He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.
[16] He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings.
[17] He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride.
[18] He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death.
[19] “Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds, with ceaseless aching in their bones.
[20] They lose their appetite for even the most delicious food.
[21] Their flesh wastes away, and their bones stick out.
[22] They are at death’s door; the angels of death wait for them.
[23] “But if an angel from heaven appears— a special messenger to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright—
[24] he will be gracious and say, ‘Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.’
[25] Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s, firm and youthful again.
[26] When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing.
[27] He will declare to his friends, ‘I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it.
[28] God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.’
[29] “Yes, God does these things again and again for people.
[30] He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life.
[31] Mark this well, Job. Listen to me, for I have more to say.
[32] But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified.
[33] But if not, then listen to me. Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!”